Surface disinfection of wheat kernels using gas phase hydroxyl-radical processes: Effect on germination characteristics, microbial load, and functional properties

Wheat kernels harbor a diverse microflora that can negatively affect the suitability of the grains for further processing. To reduce surface microflora, a kernel disinfection method is required that does not affect grain functionality. Three different versions of gas phase hydroxyl-radical processes were compared with the common method for grain disinfection, that is, a bleach treatment. The gas phase hydroxyl-radicals are generated by the UV-C mediated degradation of hydrogen peroxide and/or ozone in a near water-free process. It was found that treating kernels with a bleach solution could reduce total aerobic count (TAC) and fungal count to below the level of enumeration. In comparison, the gas phase hydroxyl-radical treatment, that is, H2 O2 -UV-ozone treatment, could support a 1.3 log count reduction (LCR) in TAC and a 1.1 LCR in fungal count. The microbial load reduction for the wholemeal samples was less pronounced as endophytic microorganisms were less affected by all treatments, hinting at a limited penetration depth of the treatments. Despite reducing the microbial load on the kernel surface through the bleach and H2 O2 -UV-ozone treatments, none of these treatments resulted in a reduced microbial count on grains that underwent sprouting after the treatments. No negative effect on germination power or development of the seedling was observed for any of the treatments. The gluten aggregation behavior and xylanase activity of the wholemeal also remained unchanged after the gas phase hydroxyl-radical treatments. Our findings suggest that UV-H2 O2 -ozone treatment shows promise for dry-kernel disinfection, but further optimization of the processing parameters is required.

Higher palmitic acid and dipalmitoyloleate levels are correlated to increased firmness in commercial butter

The physical properties of butter are impacted by the fatty acid and triacylglycerol composition of the milkfat. Increased butter hardness and melting temperature results in decreased consumer satisfaction since these affect the culinary performance and spreadability. During the winter of 2021, consumers reported anecdotal evidence of an increase in butter hardness, leading to news reports blaming the increased hardness on palm oil-based supplementation of cows' feed. Commercial butter samples were collected from across Canada to test the correlation between fatty acid and triacylglycerol composition, and hardness. We determined that palmitic acid (r = 0.74) and dipalmitoyloleate (r = 0.72) were significantly and positively correlated to commercial butter hardness (P < 0.01). However, due to restricted access to existing historical data on the chemical composition of milk fat and hardness of butter, it was not possible to compare the firmness of butter in 2021 with butter produced in the past.

An entitlement approach to the challenges of mangrove management in El Salvador

This paper summarizes those factors that have contributed to the degradation of the mangroves in El Salvador, and examines the implications of proposed changes in property rights to the mangroves for poor coastal communities. Current patterns of extraction and conversion in the mangrove ecosystem in El Salvador can be viewed through an entitlement lens that confers property right upon some actors, for certain uses, and denies them to others. Unfortunately, the present system of laws and regulations that governs resource use in the mangroves is contradictory and confusing. A number of laws currently are active that give entirely different directives about the use and transformation of the ecosystem. The rational and sustainable management of the mangroves cannot be secured without a redefinition of entitlement rights. This redefinition of entitlements, however, should take into account the needs of those whose livelihoods are intimately connected to the health of the ecosystem.